Obituary - Keith Percy Nordrum

Keith Percy Nordrum, 67, passed away on Friday, October 13, 2023, in his hometown of Havre, Montana. He had battled serious medical issues over the last few years, which demonstrated his courage in facing life challenges always with humor and a smile.

Cremation has taken place and his celebration of life service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, October 19, 2023 at the Messiah Lutheran Church in Havre with his burial to follow with military honors at Highland Cemetery. A gathering of family and friends will continue at the Oxford, for "just one more."

Memorial contributions in Keith's honor may be made to the Havre Animal Shelter 195 12th Street West, Havre, Montana 59501.

Please visit Keith's online memorial to send a card or leave a message of condolence for the family at https://www.hollandbonine.com .

Keith was born December 26, 1955, to Arnold and Lorraine (Olson) Nordrum. He joined his brothers, Gary, Roger, and sister, Sandy; later, the family grew to include two more sisters, Shelly and Shannon. In 1979, while crossing First Street, he bumped into Janet Espeseth and began a relationship. By December they were engaged, and the pair married April 19, 1980. The couple made their home in Havre.

At the young age of 9 he started working with his father cleaning the Motor Parts Warehouse and the Unemployment Office. He attended school in Havre, graduating in 1974 from Havre High School.

He enlisted in the United States Army and served two years and then transferred to the National Guard where he was honorably discharged in 1980.

He attended Northern Montana College for a year and went to work as a drill tooth welder in Wyoming during the oil boom. He returned to Havre in 1977 and worked as a shipper at Motor Parts Warehouse until 1978 when a position opened at BNSF Railroad for a carman.

He worked until 1982 and decided that the railroad wasn't his thing. In 1985, he started with the Havre Post Office as a letter carrier, retiring in 2015. Keith enjoyed the people on his mail route, entertaining the children on his route, he would race them to each mailbox, always letting the children win! He spoiled all the dogs on the route, providing them treats every day. 

He was a humorous, kind and gentle man who loved to be with his family. They would spend Football Sundays together or anytime the Seattle Seahawks were playing there was sure to be a family get together. He loved camping and spending time at the Bear Paw Mountains near Mount Otis in the summers and into early fall. If you were ever out at the mountains you could always stop in for a visit, food and a cold beverage! And family included everyone. You didn't have to necessarily be related to be included in his FAMILY.

His dedication to his country and his pride and respect of the American Flag were important to Keith. He loved his country and the freedoms it provided, which was demonstrated by the lit flagpole in his yard. His compassionate, fun nature made him the favorite uncle to many. He enjoyed and spoiled his pets; in fact, they were more like his "kids" than just pets. In his later years, after retirement, you could often find Keith working as "the deck manager," a position which he was proud of.

He will be remembered for his love of people, his family and friends, his "kids" and Rainer; always saying, "just one more."

He was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, John and Carole Espeseth, his brother Roger Nordrum, brothers-in-law Jimmy Espeseth, Hank Davis and Tim Hauge; sister-in-law Linda Davis.

Keith is survived by his wife of 43 years, Janet; daughter, Casan (Tom) Roth, two grandchildren, Rosie and Rad; his brother Gary (Lynne) Nordrum; his sisters, Sandy (Bob) O'Leary, Shelly Hauge and Shannon (Karl) Verploegen; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members, and his two special "kids" Gigi and Tigger Two.

In honor of Keith, please wear Seahawks attire.